Golden Gate Theatre — Attraction in San Francisco

Comfy seats, and I hear you can even ask for a booster cushion if you're on the short side to see the stage better. Ushers were awesome; they're everywhere and very polite & helpful. If you go here for a concert, I recommend the Loge Row A (just so you don't have to worry about people standing in front of you & blocking your view). I'm super short, so even a tall sitting person is already tough for me to see over!) Only negative is the no elevator thing, so you may have to stick to the Orchestra/Main Floor if you have mobility issues & can't go up stairs (though it's not too steep & I didn't have any issues going up even with my asthma). I enjoyed this venue for the concert, since it's intimate enough not to have to rely on jumbo screens to view the performer. My sister also purchased the refreshments package, and even though it's like $50 or something, it's good for 2 people. And you get a tote bag, 2 bottles of VOSS water, and we used the vouchers for a couple cans of the specialty mixed drinks (mine had a bourbon mix & my sister chose the vodka mix) & two sealed tubs of popcorn. Those popcorns alone were already worth more than half the cost, so it's a good value overall. Looking forward to more Kpop or other types of concerts here in the future. (It's best to buy direct from their site or the Box Office, in case seat upgrades are available on the...

The Golden Gate Theatre in San Francisco offers a unique experience for theatergoers, blending classic architecture with a bustling urban vibe. Nestled in the heart of downtown, it’s a venue that transports you to a different era as soon as you enter. The theater's architecture is a highlight, with intricate, art-deco details that complement the grandiosity of the stage and ceiling moldings, which lend an artistic air even before the show begins.

However, the seating can feel cramped—be prepared to be cozy with those around you. The chairs are classic in style but don’t offer much room, especially in the orchestra section, which is more tightly packed. Legroom is minimal, so if you're tall, you might feel the squeeze. This coziness, though, has its charm. Being in close quarters with other patrons adds to the sense of collective experience, almost like everyone is participating together in the magic of the show.

Despite the tighter seating, the theatre offers a wonderful view of the stage from most areas, as it’s designed with tiered seating that ensures even those further back have a decent line of sight. The ambiance, with its warm, dim lighting and classic red-and-gold décor, adds to the enchantment. It’s a space that feels alive with history and whispers of the past performances it has housed, making it a truly memorable place...

A Broadway theater in the heart of SF (which I wouldn't call a good thing anymore, given how awful the area has become).

We enjoyed the last performance there (To Kill a Mockingbird). The entrance is no-frills - you walk in and basically step into the seating areas right away. The drinks and snacks were decent enough but expectedly expensive - $7 for a box of candy and I believe I paid $17 for a cocktail.

One thing to note about food and drink - the theater site says there's absolutely no outside food or drink, but we were able to bring in metal water bottles without issues. It would have been easy to bring a bag of candy as well - nobody pats anyone down or anything, and there isn't even a security checkpoint.

I managed to snag Loge A101 and A103 seats, which may be some of the best seats in the house - first row loge and dead center. There is a bar in front of them, so we used theater-provided cushions to see above it a bit better. The views were fantastic.

The worst part for me was how hot it got inside during the performance. It was in the 50s outside, but stuffy and sweaty inside. They need to crank up the AC for sure, but I'm not sure if they simply don't have the right equipment or choose not to use it.

Overall, the Golden Gate Theater experience is between 3.5 and 4 stars, so I'm...